Muhammad Tipu, Pakistani Consul General to Chengdu, suggests China should open a Muslim hotpot restaurant in Pakistan in his speech at the food culture night--A bite of Pakistan on May 18 in Chengdu. (Economic Daily-China Economic Net/Meng Lingjuan)

Muhammad Tipu receives exclusive interview from Economic Daily-China Economic Net. (All the materials in the video have gained permission from the subject.)

by Meng Lingjuan

The reporter prepared 8 questions for Muhammad Tipu, Pakistani Consul General to Chengdu who graduated from Oxford University with high grades--3 were about the past achievements, 2 were concerned with the present condition, and 2 were related to the future plan. Before Pakistani food festival, Muhammad received an interview at Chengdu Tongwei International, Pakistani Consulate General in Chengdu, with a net duration of 47 minutes and 50 seconds, which has been the longest interview since he came to China.

The following is the full interview with 7,206 words, indicating vigorous Pakistan.

Positive effect on Sino-Pak trade in private sector

Reporter: According to the statistics, Pakistan’s exports to Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Chongqing increased by 132% last year. These are the consular districts of Pakistani Consulate General in Chengdu. Could you please tell us what happened?

Consul General: First of all, I think this is something extremely good. The quality of Pakistan’s products is getting better. Pakistan’s “learning curve” is also getting better because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and our problem of energy shortage has been resolved gradually. I think a number of factors and supports form the present situation.

I must tell you that the Sichuan Provincial Government, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Chengdu Chamber of Commercial Services, and a lot of major business houses have been deeply engaged in. All those critical factors brought Pakistan in the limelight in Chengdu. Public image of Pakistan got boosted. Chinese businessmen who are interested in Pakistan began to learn Pakistani products and their international competitiveness,through which plenty of information becomes gradually known.

(Last year, the growth rate of China-Pakistan trade volume was about 12.8%.)

Consul General: I think we effectively took full advantage of media. In addition to interviews from Chinese and Pakistani media, I also gave interviews to chambers from Pakistan and Sichuan. They became closely connected to each other, and connect hundreds of people, if not thousands of people. Then ideas exchanged, trust built among people and trading communities.

(So, chambers take a role?)

Consul General: Yes, absolutely. Ultimately the private sector joined many authoritative business activities. So, I think the private sector of Pakistan, and some of the major private companies in this region--Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, really made a very good impact not only on promoting trade, but also on strengthening the connections between Pakistan and Sichuan.

2 or 3 years’ wait not long for beef exports, scalpel sales may increase 10 times

Reporter: Could you please list the main categories of products Pakistan exports to the consular districts of Pakistani Consulate General in Chengdu? Any characteristics?

Consul General: Rice, cotton, yarn, chromite, other mining products, and make-ups. We are focusing a lot on beef exports, because they have a lot of quarantine problems. Once the current problems have been solved, Pakistan’s beef can be exported to China.

And then comes surgical instruments. About two weeks ago, there was a dental exhibition in Chengdu, people from Pakistan came also. They sold well, although this is only the second year of selling surgical instruments from the Pakistani side. We introduce the surgical instruments, because it is a huge market, and Pakistan has greatest expertise. Pakistan surgical instruments are sold all across Europe, as they meet international standards. So, it is a good opportunity to introduce our products to China. This year’s sales figure of $25 thousand was really considerable. I think it will increase by 10 times in the next five years.

(Will that category see the largest increase?)

Consul General: Yes, I’m very positive about it. And the good thing is not about the ultimate figure. Once Pakistani products, not only dental and surgical instruments, but other products also, can be exported to cities like Chengdu, or province like Sichuan, they will generate more value. As they come to a high-tech city like Chengdu, from Pakistan, their “learning curve” could get better, for they will meet different people, different companies, and different entrepreneurs. I think dental products are a very good breakthrough within southwest of China.

(Last year, I saw Pakistani surgical instruments at China International Import Expo. In addition to the products themselves, they put much more emphasis on import license. What do you think of that?)

Consul General: In Chinese market, it’s a very sophisticated issue, as many Chinese products are revolutionary and very good. Pakistani products have to be more competitive if they intend to tap the Chinese market, and Pakistani companies have to follow the Chinese practices. I think, as time goes by, Pakistani companies will know China’s specific implementation framework as more companies enter China. We have to go through the process of certification, and then the size of export will increase many times. Ultimately, Pakistani products will become more competitive, and they will meet all the certification standards in China.

(Just as you mentioned the quarantine inspection for meat, even Pakistan Ambassador to China has mentioned Pakistan’s high-quality cherries also faced quarantine issues. I’ve heard that Pakistan exports beef to Vietnam, and then to China. This is also caused by quarantine issues. It will take maybe still a couple of years.)

Consul General: After living in China, I take a long view of history. Historically, two or three years is nothing. Ultimately it is all about competition, and improving the quality of products, and Pakistan companies are on the way to do that. As soon as they make it, they will not only enter Chinese market, but also get access to the global markets. But remember, Pakistan’s “learning curve” is much shorter than that of China. China’s proprietary technology has been remarkable, we need to catch up. So that’s why our interaction with the Chinese, Pakistani businessmen interaction with the Chinese businessmen is very critical. In this way, we will have more opportunities and become competitive, our products will be exported to global market. I strongly believe in competitiveness and transparency.

Pakistan's sales at Kunming Fair to cross $2 million mark, this is my hope and dream

Reporter: It is reported that last year Pakistan’s sales at the Kunming Fair ranked first in all exhibitions. Why?

Consul General: Yes, we participate in the Kunming Fair every year. At present, the sales are $800 thousand. Actually, every year, we invite many traders from Pakistan to attend exhibitions. Maybe we have done better in publicity work.

(So you mean, a lot of people know Kunming fair because it has been done for many years?)

Consul General: Yes, we participate in the Kunming Fair every June. This year is no exception. We have been preparing since last month. By far, we have obtained the right to take 224 booths. All Pakistan exhibitors will use these booths to promote their companies and products. Last year, I went to CIIE and made a speech at the invitation of Yunnan government. We have indeed done a lot of work in this regard.

(I also reported the CIIE last year. I heard that 36 Pakistani companies will join this year. Does Kunming have any advantages in transportation?)

Consul General: Actually, Kunming fair is holding for several years. Pakistan traders know this place. To me, 800 thousand is a very small amount. This year I hope it can pass more than a million dollar. Then, next year, 2 million dollars. This is my hope, my dream. And once you have that dream, you may have the chance to realize it.

Gwadar port to see revolutionary changes in a few years

Reporter: We’ve just mentioned transportation, the Gwadar airport was newly launched in March. Whether the Gwadar airport or the newly signed second phase of FTA last month, do you have any expectations on the role they paly in trade development?

Consul General: Of course, the airport is very critical for Pakistan, it’s going to be a very important element in the global supply chain, particularly for China. Previously, we sought cooperation, we went to other countries first, such as Middle East. But once Gwadar port becomes very robust, it is going to create huge economic opportunity for Pakistan. So I think that Gwadar, in that sense, is going to be revolutionary in a couple of years.

Now, a lot of facilities around the port are being developed. It will take a bit of time. But I think that our institutions in Pakistan are very focused on Gwadar port and airport. The infrastructure building is the top priority. We are convinced that these projects has been successful, and we try to create more other opportunities in Gwadar. So that’s also a testament to Pakistan's friendship with China. It will take time, all of these things are not going to happen tomorrow. As a Chinese philosopher says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, so you have to create. I always tell people that we have to sow the seed. Though these plants will be grown by him or her, or anybody else, you have to sow the seed first. All these revolutionary steps are very important “seeds”, which are going to nurture the friendship over long history.

(I talked with several Chinese businessmen. They told me that Balochistan is not as safe as Lahore, maybe not even as safe as Karachi. So even though it is said that there's lots of mineral resources and agricultural products, people dare not come to this place.)

Consul General: They will start coming. Economic development has its own logic. So once poverty is reduced, people will have more incentives. At the time, things will get better.

Pakistan to have access of rice, textile, and leather products, export to China to double

(The new FTA grants 313 zero-tariff items for Pakistan to export to China in April)

Consul General: Pakistan will have the access of rice, textile, and leather products to Chinese market. In many cases, the terrorists have been significantly reduced in Pakistan. I think we will see a jump in Pakistani exports next year and the years after.

(So do you have any predictions about the increase?)

Consul General: Well, I haven't done any data analysis so far. Frankly speaking, I was busy over the past two months. But I have read some of the things related to FTA. I think we will have a jump of 3 to 4 billion dollars in next few years.

(Then it will double?)

Consul General: I think so. In the next couple of years. I'm not saying 2 years, maybe 4 or 5 years, we will see a very major jump in our exports to China.

(Some trades nowadays firstly go to Vietnam, then come to Chinese mainland.and Hong Kong, China. If it can be a direct trade, the trade volume in this part will increase a lot?)

Consul General: Yes, of course, it will increase a lot, naturally.

(Cameraman: Wang Zhongqiang; Packaging Designer: Zhang Bosen; Translator: Chen Jinglin，Guojie)